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'Superwomen' Often Anorexic

Pressure on girls to be 'perfect' increases risk of eating disorders

By Zach Samalin, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 9, 2007 11:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – The driving need to be perfect—or "Superwoman" syndrome—puts girls as young as 13 at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder, reports the Independent. "Superwomen want the perfect life. No matter how well they're doing, they never feel quite good enough," says one researcher.

Anorexia is now the No. 3 chronic illness among adolescent girls, with an estimated one in 150 15-year-olds affected. The study suggests unhealthy perfectionism is heightened by exposure to 'perfect women' in the media. And for girls attending private schools: "It's definitely worse," says one 16-year-old student. "A and B grades aren't good enough."

G.B. ENGLAND. Brighton. Brighton beach. 2005. (LON72177) (Magnum Photos)

Eating disorders, once thought to be a problem of the privileged female teenager, are cutting across race, ethnicity and gender. (KRT Photos)

Vanessa Anne Hudgens arrives at the Teen Choice Awards in Universal City, Calif., Sunday, Aug 26, 2007. Hudgens' representative has confirmed TO MSNBC.com, that a nude photo circulating on the Internet... (Associated Press)

FASH FALLTEEN 2 FR (KRT Photos)

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Eating Disorders Hit 500K Teens

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'Superwomen' Often Anorexic

Pressure on girls to be 'perfect' increases risk of eating disorders

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More Newser Stories

Eating Disorders Hit 500K Teens

3% of teens affected by binge-eating, bulimia, or anorexia

Too Much Facebook May Lead to Eating Disorder

Study: The more time teen girls spend on network, greater their chances

Anorexic Women Have More Abortions

...and many more unplanned pregnancies

Anorexia Starts by Age 10 for Half of Sufferers

Those with the disease are getting younger and younger

Kate Moss Slammed for Anorexic Motto

'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,' says supermodel

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'Superwomen' Often Anorexic

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

anorexia • eating disorder • girls • Superwoman syndrome • Superwoman

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Eating Disorders Hit 500K Teens

3% of teens affected by binge-eating, bulimia, or anorexia

Too Much Facebook May Lead to Eating Disorder

Study: The more time teen girls spend on network, greater their chances

Anorexic Women Have More Abortions

...and many more unplanned pregnancies

Anorexia Starts by Age 10 for Half of Sufferers

Those with the disease are getting younger and younger

Kate Moss Slammed for Anorexic Motto

'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,' says supermodel

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?